Redrow CEO calls for independent housing body

Speaking at the Instinctif Great Housing Debate, Tutte said that an independent body would help solve the housing crisis by setting a long-term strategy. “The whole raft of decision making by politicians is geared towards the next election,” said Tutte. “I would create an independent housing ministry that was set outside of government and was able to form a separate housing strategy over a 20 to 30-year period.”

According to Tutte, an independent housing ministry would be able to better direct resources and protect the countryside.

Tutte believes there is a need for a public sector building programme, to bring more SME house builders into the industry. Tutte believes housing supply will hit government targets of 200,000 new homes a year within 18 months, but the industry needs the support of SME builders.

“Levels of housebuilding above 200,000 a year have historically been achieved through a large public sector building programme or with the support of small and medium builders,” he said.

Tutte also said that his biggest concern about Brexit would be a potential labour shortage, as EU workers currently make up 10-20% of the workforce. “An exit inevitably would have some impact on the workforce against the background of a skills shortage,” said Tutte. “For me the biggest fear that I have got in the event of a Brexit is what the medium-term impact will be on the workforce.”